18Days-Discovery whole Beautiful Cambodia

Cambodia Discovery 18Days-17Nights

Admire Cambodia’s sublime beauty in style on this 18-day trip that takes you deep into the country’s rich culture and history. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Khmer way of life, enjoying rustic homestays, visiting remote tribal villages and ridding elephants through the jungle. From bustling cities, to ancient temples and relaxing, white-sand beaches this tour covers all of Cambodia’s main attractions, while taking you off the beaten path to craft a travel adventure of a lifetime.

Full Tour itinerary

• Start city: Phnom Penh
• End city: Phnom Penh
• Duration: 18 Days-17 Nights
• Departure: Private Tour. Daily, upon your request.
• Cities to visit: Phnom Penh - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Thom - Kratie - Mondulkiri - Sihanouk Ville

 

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to rest and freshen up before driving to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River. Savor a welcome dinner onboard as you watch the sunset over the shimmering lights of Phnom Penh.

Meals: Dinner on boat.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh – City Tours – Royal Palace

Phnom Penh was founded in the 14th century and has long been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. Start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields”. In the afternoon, try out your best bargaining skills on a walk through the city’s expansive “Russian Market”, where you can find anything from motorcycle parts to valuable gems. Our cultural tour continues as we visit the National Museum an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chnang – Battambang

Today we travel by car to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. Get a taste for Cambodia’s rural life and stop en route at Kompong Chnang to visit the floating village in Kompong Luong. We arrive in Battambang in the afternoon. Check in at your hotel then enjoy an orienting walking tour through the city’s bustling boulevards lined with quaint French colonial buildings. Next visit some of Battambang’s signature hilltop temples as well as the infamous cave, Phnom Sampov, used as an execution field under the Khmer Rouge.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang.

Day 4: Battambang – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

Today we drive from Battambang to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Spend 3 hours driving through Cambodia’s charming countryside, past stretches of rice paddies and exotic hamlets. Arrive at Siem Reap and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, we drive to the Archeological Park to visit the magnificence of Angkor Wat - the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap – Ta Prohm – Banteay Srei – Angkor Thom

Enjoy an entire day devoted to the mystical and ancient Angkor temples. After an early breakfast at the hotel, we set out to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Leaving Angkor Thom by the north gate, we travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, before heading to the mystical, jungle-entwined Ta Prohm temple. In the afternoon, drive 35km to Banteay Srei temple, the birthplace of classical Khmer architecture. Next explore Banteay Samre, before returning to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Beng Mealea – Koh Ker – Siem Reap

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and travel in the morning to Koh Ker.  Here we will discover the long abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Also known as Chok Gargyar, this region once served as the capital of Jayavarman IV until his son and successor, Harshavarman I moved the capital back to Angkor. There are more than 30 major structures and archeologists believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. In the afternoon, drive back to Siem Reap, stopping en route to visit the remote and jungle-covered Beng Mealea temple.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap – Daily life – Home stay at Kampong Khleang

Today is dedicated to exploring Cambodia’s daily life and rich culture with trips to Kampong Khleang and the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. Travel down winding picturesque roads on the way to Tonle Sap, stopping to admire the rice plantations and various season activities of the locals such as roof building and banana harvesting. Board a boat and visit the floating village before heading to the nearby flooded mangrove forests. In the afternoon we drive to Kampong Khleang homestay. Take a cooking class on traditional Khmer cuisine before joining with a local family for a Y Teav homestay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Accommodation: Homestay in Kampong Khleang.

Day 8: Siem Reap – Sambor Prei Kuk – Kampong Thom

Say good bye to your host family then set out on a drive to Kampong Thom (130km, 2 hours drive), home to Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments. Here we will visit the ancient temple complex, Sambor Prei Kuk, situated just north of Kampong Thom. The main temples are divided into three complexes, all dedicated to Shiva. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through these 7th century brick monuments, artfully scattered about the jungle. Return to the town of Kampong Thom in the afternoon and proceed to hotel in center.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kampong Thom.

Day 9: Kampong Thom – Chlong – Kratie – Dolphin

Today we travel to Kratie, a vibrant riverside town and home to the endangered freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins. Stop for breakfast at a local restaurant and then continue on to tour to the Cham Ka Lour rubber plantation, before crossing the Mekong River by ferry at Stung Trong/Krochmar district of Kampong Cham province. Arrive in Kratie in the afternoon and check-in at your hotel. Then drive north of town and take a local boat to view the freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the Mekong. Enjoy an hour on the river, before returning to the quaint French colonial town for the evening.   

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kratie.

Day 10: Kratie – Mondulkiri

Today we travel to Cambodia’s eastern province, Mondulkiri. With rolling grassy hills, pine growths and rainforests, this sparsely populated province is like nowhere else in Cambodia. Mondulkiri is also home to the majority of country’s tribal minorities, including the Cham and Phnong peoples. Arrive in Sen Monorom, the region’s capital, in the late afternoon. Check in at the Mondulkiri Hotel and enjoy the evening discovering this small, quirky town - the base from which to explore the surroundings hill tribe villages and cascading waterfalls.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mondulkiri.

Day 11: Mondulkiri – Tribal Villages

Wake early and visit the local market frequented by the Phnong people, traveling from the nearby villages to buy and sell their wares. Next we journey to some of the surrounding hill tribe villages. There are hundreds of minority villages around Sen Monorom. One of the largest and easiest to access is the Phlung village inhabited by Phnong chunchiets, where their curious huts have woven, wooden walls and thatched roofs that slope almost to the floor. You will be lucky to see more than a handful of people during daytime, as most are out working in the fields.  Later in the afternoon, explore the jungle astride an elephant, guided by the experienced Phnong mahouts, then stop to visit some of the region’s beautiful waterfalls.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mondulkiri.

Day 12: Mondulkiri – Elephant Adventure

After breakfast at hotel, the guide and driver will transfer you to Mondulkiri Project where you will join in a fun day in the jungle with Mondulkiri elephants in the protected forest. Here you have chance to live with elephant for a day, and do many activities, such as: feeding and following 4 Mondulkiri elephants through the jungle (no elephant riding), swimming with and washing elephants at the waterfall, learning about elephants and Bunong culture and traditions.

Have lunch at the Jungle Lodge and relaxing in hammocks. The Lodge has great views over the jungle and is a good place to view wildlife and many species of birds.

After saying goodbye to the elephants we walk back out of the jungle to our starting point before being driven back to Sen Monorom.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mondulkiri.

Day 13: Mondulkiri - Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh

Say good bye to Mondulkiri and continue on the tour to Kampong Cham, where we will stop to visit the Wat Nokor Pagoda. This 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine is home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha images. In the afternoon we continue on to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel then enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh – Sihanouk Ville

Have breakfast at the hotel then travel by private car with to Sihanouk Ville (226km with 3-hour drive). Sihanouk Ville’s white-sand beaches are some of the most pristine in all of Southeast Asia. 10 km of beach stretches the whole length of the town and with dozens of small islands just a short boat ride away, Sihanouk Ville makes for the perfect tropical getaway - complete with facilities for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Upon arrival, you check in at the hotel then free to enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Soak up the sun as you lounge on the beach or enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanouk Ville.

Day 15: Sihanouk Ville – Free and leisure

Free at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodations: Hotel in Sihanouk Ville.

Day 16: Sihanouk Ville – Free and leisure

Free at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanouk Ville.

Day 17: Sihanouk Ville – Phnom Penh

Enjoy a free morning to relax on the beach, before traveling to Phnom Penh by private car. Check in at the hotel then enjoy a last night to explore this colorful capital. 

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 18: Phnom Penh – Departure

Have breakfast at the hotel, our driver will transfer you to Phnom Penh International airport to catch your departure flight home. Have a Safe travel!

Meals: Breakfast.

Note: Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered.

All hotels are rated according to local standards. All itineraries are flexible and can easily be altered to suit your needs and interests. Contact one of our travel consultants for more information.

Tours Cost Included

• Accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Transportation by A/C car as itinerary
• English speaking guide
• Meals as mentioned in the Itinerary
• Entrance fees, boat trips, performance & excursions

Tours Cost Excluded

• International flights
• Meals that not mentioned in the itinerary
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels
• Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Personal travel insurance
• Peak season surcharges (if any)
• Cambodia Visa